Parashah Tetzaveh

Exodus 27:20—30:10

Notes by Chris O’Quin, © February 16th, 2008

I. Introduction

Our Torah portion this morning describes the ordination of Aaron and his sons. As part of this ordination we see described his vestments and the required sacrifices. With this in mind, let us look at our morning’s Parashah.

II. Aaron is Chosen as Kohen Gadol (High Priest)

A. Why was Moses “passed over”?

B. How did Moses respond to this?

C. Why was Aaron chosen?

1. His hands were free from bloodshed

2. He was a great man of peace

3. The purpose of the High Priest was to be a mediator between G-d and man. To draw the people to G-d through bonds of love and peace.

III. The Vestments and their Meaning

A. The supreme goal of the Tabernacle is the realization of the general ideal of moral purity and perfection.

B. Important principle: the holiness of the whole cannot exceed that of its individual components.

C. The inner trousers—signifying purity from sexual sins

D. The fine linen tunic—signifying purity

E. The Me’il of blue wool—signifying complete devotion to G-d. The pomegranates at the bottom of the Me’il signify our good works which are done in this world rather than in heaven and are near the feat rather than near the head or mouth—that is, we are to walk the walk of the righteous in deed. The bells are like the good deeds of the righteous which go before them.

F. The Ephod—the colors of the Ephod reflect the heavenly glory of HaShem. Ezekiel 1:27—28.

G. The Choshen or Breast Plate—The High Priest carried the names of Israel upon his heart. The Choshen & Ephod together represented the tzaddik and the baal teshuvah. It was forbidden to detach the two from each other and he bore these two types of attachments before HaShem. (Ref. Luke 18:9—14 & Luke 15:1—10.) Each is attached to the other and must share a collective fate and respect. Inside the Choshen were written on parchment the two names of HaShem represented by the Urim and Tumim which could reveal G-d’s will.

H. The two onyx stones carved by the shamir—the Kohen Gadol bears the burden of his people upon his shoulders—their fate is his fate.

I. The Turban—signifying purity of thought before HaShem

J. The Tzitz—signified both Israel’s divine ordained status as His beloved chosen people and her duty to walk holy before G-d.

IV. The Sacrifices and their Meaning

A. The goat—signifying stubbornness

B. The ram—signifying our strength

C. The lamb—signifying that G-d is our shepherd

D. The ox—signifying our work

E. Meal offering—signifying our sustenance

F. Wine/drink offering—signifying our joys

Each of these signified aspects of our will—both individually and nationally. The symbolism of the sacrifice was to say before HaShem, I am channeling or giving over to you these aspects of my life. Strength, stubbornness, hard work—all must be directed and given over to HaShem (Romans 12:1; 8:13). Further, the sacrifices were not accepted without prayer which consisted of (1) fear of G-d; (2) glorification of G-d; (3) the proclamation of His Unity; (4) love of G-d; (5) the blessing of the Kohen; and (6) the will to devote oneself completely to G-d. (R. Munk, The Call of Torah, Shemos: Tetzaveh, p. 417)

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, what we see from our Parashah is that what G-d requires from each of us is our complete submission and devotion. The idea of “cheap grace” is to be found nowhere in Scripture. G-d is always ready to forgive sins but it must be preceded by genuine repentance which is always displayed through complete contrition towards G-d. Anything less is a negation of the Gospel message as well as the entire corpus of Scripture.